Synthesis, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Activity of Zn-Doped SnO2 Hierarchical Architectures Assembled by Nanocones

Abstract

Zn-doped SnO2 hierarchical architectures with nanoflower, nanourchin, and nanotrepang morphologies have been synthesized with a surfactant-free solvothermal synthesis route in the mixed solvents of ethylenediamine (En), ethanol, and deionized water. The observations of field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that Zn-doped SnO2 hierarchical architectures with different morphologies were assembled by the nanocones with diameters ranging from 20 to 60 nm. We found that the alkaline dosage (NaOH) of the solution had a remarkable effect on the morphology of as-synthesized products. The UV−visible spectra of Zn-doped SnO2 hierarchical architectures exhibited a blue shift with the decrease of the size of nanocones. The photocatalytic activity of Zn-doped SnO2 samples were evaluated by the degradation of RhB aqueous solution, and the results revealed that the sample with urchin morphology had high photocatalytic activity efficiency. Moreover, the degradation process of RhB induced by Zn-doped SnO2catalyst was investigated in detail as well.